Retail Briefs

JCPenney last week announced the promotion of John Tighe to senior vp and general merchandise manager of its home business.

Jeffrey Allison, who was recently named to lead the home and fine jewelry businesses, has left the company for personal reasons, JCP said in a statement.

Tighe will also join the executive board and will report to Steven Lawrence, executive vp and senior gmm of the men’s and children’s divisions, who has now also assumed responsibility for JCPenney’s home business.

Elizabeth Sweney, executive vp and senior gmm, will continue to lead women’s apparel, women’s accessories and shoes and will now have responsibility for fine jewelry as well. Pam Mortensen, senior vp and gmm, will now report to Sweney.

Tighe was previously senior vp of jcp.com. A 20-year retail veteran, he joined the company in 2002 and was named divisional merchandise manager for junior Sportswear two years later. He previously spent 10 years at Filene’s in a series of merchandising roles of increasing responsibility.

Kohl’s Holding Nine Grand Openings in March

Kohl’s held grand openings for five new stores on March 3, and announced four more openings for March 24. The company plans to open a total of 30 new units by year end.

The March 3 openings were in Rego Park (Queens), N.Y.; Middle River and Annapolis, Md.; Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Bend, Ore. The Mar. 24 locations will be Victor, N.Y.; Butler, Pa.; Lexington Park, Md.; D’Ilberville, Miss. These stores will bring the mid-tier retailer’s store count to 1,067. Kohl’s also noted that it will remodel 85 stores in 2010, up 66% from the pace last year.

Sears, JCP, Walmart Win Racie Awards

Placing high in the live voting at the Retail Advertising & Marketing Association (RAMA) Racie Awards event last week, three major retailers grabbed their share of the spotlight. JCPenney took top honors in the outdoor advertising category for its Manhattan Store Launch campaign. Sears Holdings won in the TV single spot (1-3Q) category for its “Cold Feet” ads, while Walmart won in the TV single spot (4Q) slot for its “Christmas Wish” campaign. Each of these awards was bestowed during the live vote segment of the event. In the judged honors, Sears also picked up the large integrated media campaign Gold Award for its back-to-school campaign. RAMA is a division of the NRF.